Israeli forces take control of Rafah crossing

By Nathan Morley

Israeli forces have taken control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt as their ground operation continues in the southern city which is crammed with over one million civilians.

The Rafah Crossing and another – Karem Shalom – are now reportedly closed. Earlier, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that at least 20 people have been killed in Israel's attack on Rafah since Tuesday morning.

Aid groups have raised the alarm about the impact on their operations.

Meanwhile, the UN chief, Antonio Guterres has said an Israeli ground incursion of Rafah would be intolerable.

So far, Israel has instructed about 100,000 civilians in the city to move out.

Elsewhere, talks are to restart in Egypt after Hamas said it would accept a deal drafted by Egyptian mediators. It was however rejected by Israel as being far from meeting its "core demands".